Now-former members of the Tennessee Titans were dropping like flies leading up to the NFL's trade deadline. The team ostensibly fully leaned into a youth movement, selling off one veteran after another.
The Titans were active sellers up until the league's cutoff point to strike a deal on Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. ET. First, it was cornerback Roger McCreary, then it was pass rusher Dre'Mont Jones. That doesn't even include Jarvis Brownlee Jr. getting shipped to the New York Jets in September to kick off the fire sale.
Needless to say, some of the faces the Tennessee faithful have gotten used to seeing on Sundays will no longer be in the picture. However, fans aren't the only ones who must face the new reality; it's an adjustment for the players still on the club's roster. Titans corner Darrell Baker Jr. perfectly encapsulated the current locker room vibes with an iconic GIF.
— Darrell Baker Jr. (@12_darrell) November 4, 2025
Titans' Darrell Baker Jr. sums up Tennessee's trade deadline fire sale with hilariously sad meme
Baker is figuratively and quite literally Will Smith from the renowned The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air series finale, sitting alone in an empty house. The fourth-year pro has seen several of his Titans comrades get rerouted, namely Jones, his locker mate.
From a bird's-eye view, it's sad that people develop strong bonds and then suddenly just get uprooted elsewhere. Baker seemingly thinks fondly of Jones, McCreary and Brownlee and is upset they're no longer by his side. Nevertheless, that's the life of a professional athlete, and as we've learned, no one is exempt from getting moved.
This aspect of sports often gets overlooked, but moments like this are a reminder that the connections formed go beyond the field. Teammates spend boundless time together, even more than their families, witnessing firsthand what they each go through daily. That kinship forms a brotherhood, as exemplified by Baker.
If there's any silver lining for Baker and Titans supporters, it's that they could've very well said goodbye to more contributors. Edge defender Arden Key and wide receiver Calvin Ridley each saw their names churn through the rumor mill, but ultimately didn't get sent out. Moreover, and most notably, Tennessee hung onto franchise defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.